Pune, Oct 26: Goods-carrying vehicles will remain barred from the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's new connecting link, known as the 'missing link', from November 1, the Maharashtra Highway Police has announced. Mirror Now reported that the restrictions will now be permanent, while the Free Press Journal also reported on Monday that goods vehicles are to remain banned from the link from November 1.

Source: Mirror Now

The notification was issued by Additional Director General of Police (Traffic) Praveen Salunkhe. It applies to all categories of goods transport, including small commercial vehicles, pickup vans and light utility vehicles such as the Tata Ace, as well as vehicles carrying hazardous, explosive or flammable materials. All of them must continue using the original alignment of the expressway instead of the new link.

Source: Mirror Now

Speed limits on the link

The link stays open to private passenger vehicles and buses. Private cars, jeeps and other non-transport light motor vehicles are limited to a maximum speed of 100 kmph, while passenger buses and other commercial passenger vehicles must stay at or below 80 kmph.

November 1Date from which the permanent goods-vehicle ban on the missing link takes effect
100 kmphMaximum speed for cars and light motor vehicles on the link
80 kmphMaximum speed for passenger buses on the link

According to the highway police, the decision follows a technical assessment of the design and safety features of the tunnels built into the connecting link, and separating heavy goods traffic from passenger vehicles is meant to reduce risks in the tunnel sections. The restrictions will remain in effect indefinitely, until further notice, and will be strictly enforced from the start of November. Commuters and transport operators have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly.

The missing link opened to traffic in May this year. During its first phase, from May 1 to October 31, only light motor vehicles and passenger buses were allowed on it, and goods vehicles were to be considered only after a review from November 1 — a review that has now resulted in the ban continuing on a permanent basis.